Step into the CV Health Check area where a simple test will give you your risk for CVD. This test will not only give you a status on your own health, but help you learn more about the value of screening and what you can do to help implement this in your country. #CVHealthForAll
What is the CV Health Check?
The CV Health Check is located in the congress centre, next to the open stage.
It will be open on :
- Thursday from 08:30-17:30
- Friday from 08:30-17:30
Your health check will include several tests in two parts:
Blood pressure measurement
To ensure an accurate measurement you will need to have been resting for 10-15 minutes before the test, but there will be plenty to keep you entertained while you wait! During this time, we will ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your life habits and some medical history. You will also be able to learn more about the biomarkers that we are testing!
Blood draw
A blood draw will be performed to test for the following risk factors:
- Lipids: measures the level of fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) LDL (“bad cholesterol”) HDL (“good Cholesterol”) Triglycerides and Total Cholesterol.
- HbA1c: measures average blood glucose levels in the blood for the last 2-3 months (no need to fast!)
- Lp(a): is low density lipoprotein variant containing a protein called apolipoprotein(a). Genetic and epidemiological studies have identified Lp(a) as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and related diseases, such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
- High Sensitivity Troponin T (hs-TnT) is a biomarker that detects even minor heart muscle injury, aiding in early identification of cardiovascular risk and stratification. Elevated levels can indicate subclinical heart damage, even before symptoms appear.
- High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of inflammation that helps assess cardiovascular risk by identifying low-level chronic inflammation, a key factor in atherosclerosis. Elevated hs-CRP levels indicate a higher risk of heart disease and events.
- Serum creatinine is a key marker of kidney function, as elevated levels indicate impaired renal function, which is closely linked to increased cardiovascular risk. Chronic kidney disease can accelerate atherosclerosis and heart disease progression.
Know your numbers!
Biomarkers details
Promoting a healthy lifestyle and appropriate medical therapy of risk factors has led to declining rates of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in many countries. However, ASCVD remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Novel targets for traditional risk factors and additional ASCVD risk factors have been identified.
Knowing your numbers allows you to estimate your 10-year and lifetime risk for major events such as heart attack or stroke using the ESC CVD risk calculation app and discuss with your doctor how additional factors such as levels of Lipoprotein (a), high-sensitivity Troponin, high-sensitivity CRP and kidney function inform your risk.
LDL-C
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) retention in arterial walls is a key initiating factor for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. High blood values of LDL-C are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. There is an even greater need to reduce LDL-C levels for individuals with increased cardiovascular risk (e.g. diabetes, obesity, smoking, hypertension). The table below represents recommended LDL-C target values according to the 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidaemia, in patients with different cardiovascular risks (1). The 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention suggest considering a value of <2.6mmol/l (<100mg/dl) for all, with lower values for high or very high-risk individuals (2).
| LDL-C | Very High CV risk | High CV risk | Medium CV risk | Low CV risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LDL Cholesterol (Target values) |
<55mg/dl | <70mg/dl | <100mg/dl | <116mg/dl |
| LDL Cholesterol (Target values) | <1,4mmol/l | <1,8mmol/l | <2,6mmol/l | <3,0mmol/l |
HbA1c
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects the average plasma glucose concentrations in the blood over the past 2-3 months. Increased HbA1c levels in the blood indicate diabetic status and there is an established link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes and the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests the following diagnostic guidelines for diabetes:
| HbA1c | mmol/mol | % |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <42 mmol/mol | <6.0% |
| Prediabetes | 42 to 47 mmol/mol | 6.0% to 6.4% |
| Diabetes | ≥48 mmol/mol | ≥6.5% |
Lp(a)
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a pro-atherogenic and pro-inflammatory lipoprotein. Lp(a) levels are predominantly genetically determined and the measurement of Lp(a) in blood can indicate relative risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Increasing levels of Lp(a) are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). European Guidelines define elevated Lp(a) levels above 125 nmol/L (or 50 mg/dL) and recommend routine inclusion of Lp(a) in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Limit values (4):
- Normal value ≤125nmol/l (≤50 mg/dl)
- Increased value >125nmol/l (>50 mg/dl)
High-sensitivity Troponin
Hs-Tn is a highly sensitive test that measures the levels of troponin, a protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged. Although commonly used to enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of heart attacks, it can be used to assess cardiovascular risk in individuals, including those who are apparently healthy, and those with known heart conditions. For apparently healthy individuals suggested values include (5):
| Hs Troponin | Hs-TnT Gen 6 (ng/L) |
|---|---|
| Low - Moderate risk |
< 27 (all) |
| High risk |
≥ 27 (all) |
High-sensitivity CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that measures low-level inflammation and is used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. For apparently healthy individuals suggested values include (6):
| Hs-CRP | Male (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Low risk | <1 |
| Moderate risk | ≥1 - ≤2 |
| High risk | >2 |
Creatinine and eGFR
Creatinine measures creatinine levels in blood to assess kidney function, helping diagnose and monitor kidney health. Kidney disease is a predictor for cardiovascular disease. Normal creatinine levels vary based on age, sex, and muscle mass, but generally, normal levels are around 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures how many milliliters of blood kidneys clean per minute (ml/min/1.73m2) and offers a more accurate reflection of the kidney function. Uses blood creatinine level, age, sex, and sometimes race. An eGFR ≥90 is normal, 60-89 suggests mildly reduced kidney function, <60 indicate significantly reduced kidney function. Creatinine and eGFR in this context are used to raise awareness of the impact of kidney disease as a risk factor for ASCVD. A more accurate estimate of kidney function includes the presence/degree of albuminuria on a spot urine test measured as Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) (1).
NT-proBNP
N‑terminal pro‑B‑type natriuretic peptide (NT‑proBNP) is a biomarker widely used for diagnosis, prognosis, and risk stratification in heart failure, but also provides valuable information in the broader cardiovascular prevention setting. NT‑proBNP levels help identify subclinical cardiac stress and stratify cardiovascular risk. Reference values are strongly influenced by age, sex, and renal function, so interpretation must always account for these factors. For apparently healthy individuals, suggested value is <125 pg/mL (7).
Blood pressure
Persistently elevated blood pressure in systemic arteries is the hallmark of hypertension, which is an important modifiable risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Classification of office-based blood pressure measurements according to the 2024 ESC guidelines are outlined below (8):
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | and - and/or | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-elevated BP | <120 | and | <70 |
| Elevated BP | 120–139 | and/or | 70–89 |
| Hypertension | ≥140 | and/or | ≥90 |
